Shelby Mustang GT350
TIPPED BY: DONALD OSBORNE
Yes, it has to be 1966, and no, it wasn’t marketed as a Mustang that year. Donald Osborne has identified an interesting market anomaly for these extremely sought-after performance ponies. While the first Shelby Mustang, the GT350 for the 1965 model year, starts at half a million dollars, the cars from the following year are trading at little more than half that, assuming there’s unassailable proof of identity. Why the difference?
‘The 1965 cars are slightly lighter and fewer were built,’ says Donald, referring to the 562 1965 cars versus 2378 for 1966. ‘They also have the bragging rights of being the first, the original Shelby Mustang. But with a ’66 you get at least 80% of what a ’65 car gives you but for a much lower price. You can find nice, useable cars in the USA as far down as $200k [currently £144k].’
Visually, there are differences too. Most notably, the 1966 cars have rear quarter windows in place of the ’65’s extractor vents and there are brake cooling ducts on each side. The exhaust, previously a lairy side-exit in front of the rear wheels, moved to a twin-pipe system exiting at the rear. But under the skin, what do you get? Even $200k seems a lot of money for a Mustang with a hot engine.
Don’t worry, it’s far more than that, says Donald. ‘The Shelby GT350 is a remarkable animal. It’s one of the best-driving cars of the Sixties from any continent. Anyone who’s driven a Mustang and thinks they know what a Shelby GT350 is like, they’re completely and utterly mistaken. The work that the Shelby American people did on the chassis has to be felt to be believed because the car not only moves but handles spectacularly.’
About 1000 of the 1966 Shelby GT350S cars were those that Ford pushed onto the Hertz rental organisation, and these now come with a $40k-$60k [£29k-£43k] discount, because most have chequered histories, many are automatic and they’re so often cloned. However, they looked good in black and gold paint – and one or two other hues, as shown here.
For UK and European buyers, America is the only sensible place to start, whatever specification you prefer – and there’s always some choice. ‘Currently $300k (£215k) is the mark for a non-hertz car in the Shelby Registry with a good history,’ says Donald.
‘Anyone who’s driven a Mustang and thinks they know what a Shelby GT350 is like, they’re completely and utterly mistaken’